Los Angeles, CA vs Pasadena, CA

Los Angeles is moderately more affordable than Pasadena, with a 12.4% lower cost of living index. Los Angeles scores 169 compared to 193 for Pasadena, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Pasadena can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Los Angeles is $1,879/month compared to $2,218/month in Pasadena — a 15% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Los Angeles is more affordable at $879,500 median vs $1,045,000.

Median household income in Los Angeles is $80,366 compared to $103,778 in Pasadena (-22.6%). While Pasadena is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Los Angeles spend roughly 28.1% of their income on rent, more than the 25.6% in Pasadena.

Climate-wise, Pasadena is notably warmer with an average of 65.8°F compared to 62.8°F in Los Angeles. Pasadena receives more rainfall at 14.3" per year compared to 13.5" in Los Angeles.